It was close to the ungodly hour of five in the morning when Betty awoke to Danse pounding his armored fist against the door of the late police chief's office. She looked over at Hancock, who snored on the bedroll beside her, before she shuffled over to the door and opened it with a yawn.
"Up and at 'em, Initiate. Today is a new day," said the paladin with a warm smile.
"Are we under attack?" Betty asked. "If not, come back in-" she looked down at her Pip-boy, "-three hours."
She moved to close the door, but Danse stuck out his foot and blocked it from shutting. "We've been summoned. Gather your things and that ghoul..if you must."
"It's not even five, and I'm a morning person!" she said. She nodded towards Hancock and added, "Don't even get me started about him and mornings, even if he isn't hungover."
"War waits for no one," Danse replied.
"If you insist. It'll take a while to get Hancock up, though."
"You have ten minutes, soldier, or we leave without him."
Betty nodded and squatted down on the floor beside a still-snoring Hancock and shook his shoulder. "John? Time to wake up, hun."
Nothing. She looked up at Paladin Danse, who tapped on his wrist and said, "Nine minutes."
"Shit," muttered Betty. She pulled a bottle of water from Hancock's pack and threw it into the ghoul's face and he only snored even louder. She sighed and said to Danse, "Sorry, he sleeps like he's dead."
"Eight minutes."
Betty thought for a moment and said, "I have an idea...but you might want to leave the room for a second; he'll shoot anything in his sight if this works. Might want to cover your ears, too. Gonna get loud in a second."
Danse stepped aside, away from the doorway, curious as to what Parker would do next.
Betty moved behind Hancock and shook his shoulder violently as she screamed out, "JOHN, WAKE UP!" her voice in a panic.
Hancock sat up at an instant, pulled the magnum from his hip and shot off all six rounds in the chamber at the empty space where Danse had stood moments ago.
"Birdie," Hancock mumbled as he groped about for Betty with bleary, dark eyes. "The fuck is goin' on?"
Betty sat on the floor beside him, covering her mouth her hand in shock before she whispered, "Sorry handsome, Danse says we have to get going."
Hancock looked up at the paladin with a hard face and Danse smirked.
"Less than seven minutes before we leave, so I'd hurry if you insist on coming along," said Danse before he closed the door.
Hancock picked up a fan off the desk beside him and threw it at the closed door with a growl as it shattered into several pieces.
"I hate that armored asshole..and why the fuck am I soakin' wet?"
"I tried water first, but you didn't wake up this time. I'm sorry," Betty explained. Hancock waved off her apology and sorted through his pack to check their supplies. She added, "Danse can be an ass, but I think he means well and he's been nice enough so far. Well, as nice as I'd expect a Brotherhood soldier to be towards citizens of the land they're invading."
"'Course he's good to ya, you're 100% human, a great fighter, and stunning to boot, who wouldn't?"
Betty snorted. "Rhys looks at me like garbage."
"Don't remind me...should've put him down when I had the chance. You gotta stop preventin' that sorta shit."
She shrugged her shoulders and said, "He's resentful is all. Two strangers come in to save the day, and one of them is a ghoul, someone he's likely been brainwashed to hate. I'd almost feel bad for him if he wasn't such a complete dick."
"Still deserved that ass kicking I served up."
"Definitely," said Betty with a laugh and kissed Hancock several times before she climbed into her power armor. After whatever Danse had planned for her today, she just wanted to get back to searching for the elusive courser who roamed the ruins near CIT. "Look, Danse just wants to get the job done, whatever it may be. We both appreciate shit like that, right? Give him a chance. He might come around."
"The fuckin' poster boy for the Brotherhood of Steel? That'll be the day." He stared at Betty and said, "Look, what I'm about to say to ya is comin' from your ally, Mayor Hancock, not your steady. You feel me?"
Betty nodded. "I understand. Shoot."
"What's your plan if they decide to screw us over? This ain't somethin' to take lightly. If they snuff me, Goodneighbor will blame ya and if they snuff you instead, the Minutemen will have my damn head if I didn't die avengin' ya. Please tell me you've thought about this, 'cause once he makes ya a full-fledged member of the Brotherhood, there's no turnin' back."
"The Brotherhood is foolish, not savage," said Betty. "At least from what we've seen."
"Savage, I can deal with. It's predictable compared to foolish. We ain't leavin' until you come up with somethin' good, because we can't afford to die now. I won't allow it. Make your choice."
Betty thought hard, Hancock's words resonating in her mind, before she looked up at him and whispered, "If the Brotherhood won't listen to reason and leave the Commonwealth or remain here without any further interference...we destroy them. All of them."
"Do I have your word, General Parker?" Hancock asked as he held out his fist. "Are you loyal to us...or them?"
Her knuckles rapped hard against his and she said, "No matter what happens, know that I'll always be loyal to you, Mayor Hancock, and our people. I'm no traitor."
He smiled and said, "Let's head out and give your peace talk a shot, then."
Hancock hung Betty's assault rifle over his shoulder and followed her into the police station lobby, as Danse and Scribe Haylen looked over Rhys' shattered nose.
"Sorry, Rhys," said Scribe Haylen as she checked his splint. "We're running low on stimpaks so you're stuck like this until we get back onto the ship."
The ghoul took one look at the soldier's splint and his two black eyes before he chuckled and said, "I fucked you up pretty good!"
Betty frowned, and sorted through Hancock's pack until she found a stimpak. She tossed it over to Rhys and the stimpak hit him square in the face, eliciting a pained shout from the Brotherhood soldier and Hancock erupted with laughter.
"You said we were summoned, Danse? Where are we headed?" Betty asked, her cheeks reddening as Hancock continued to laugh at her lack of a throwing arm.
"Our 'gaudy balloon', as you have referred to her before, is called the Prydwen. She's loaded with enough troops and supplies to mount a major offensive. If she's here, Elder Maxson's here, and that means we're going to war," explained Danse.
"Who the hell's Elder Maxson and why do I hate him already?" Hancock asked as he reached for the flask he kept in his back pocket.
"Maxson is the commander of the Brotherhood of Steel. He's the model of what every Brotherhood soldier hopes to become. If we're going to war, I can promise you that he'll be leading the charge," said Danse.
Hancock drained the last of the booze and said, "Oh, that explains my hatred then, thanks."
Danse shook his head and looked to Betty. "That being said, you're about to get to know the Prydwen up close and personal. I've received orders that we're to report to her immediately."
"I'm...flattered?" said Betty.
"No you ain't," muttered Hancock under his breath and she swatted his arm with the back of her hand. "If you were flattered, those cheeks of yours would be that gorgeous shade of red I've become so fond of...ya know, the same flush ya get when I stick my-"
The paladin glared hard at Hancock and said in a cold voice, "-This is your only warning from me, so listen up, ghoul. Having one of your kind on board the Prydwen is unprecedented. I'd advise that you remain beside Parker during your time there. Do not wander, do not touch anything-"
"-I want nothin' to do with you assholes, so save your breath."
Danse grit his teeth. "I'd also recommend some duct tape over that foul mouth of yours-"
"-Go fuck yourself, Danse, how's that for foul?"
Betty threw dropped Hancock's pack onto the floor and said, "Both of you, please! Can't we at least try to get along-"
"-No!" shouted Hancock and Danse in unison.
"It is way too god damn early to be shouting like you're out on the playground!" shouted Betty herself. "All I ask is for you to tolerate each other and that can't possibly be a tall order for two grown men."
Danse looked at Hancock, his eyes hard. "Don't make me regret this, ghoul."
"Or what?" Hancock snarled.
"John," Betty interrupted, "Haven't I trusted you since this?" and she pointed to the nasty scar across her face. He nodded and she said, "I need you to trust me. I'm the one who's throwing myself into the fire with the Brotherhood and all I'm asking of you is listen to what they have to say. That's it. We'll be on our way right after, I swear it, and you'll never have to see them again if you don't want to. But I might not be taken seriously back home without you to back me up."
Hancock nodded and said, "Fine by me, but you know your men, and mine, will follow ya to Hell and back."
"If the ghoul is done with his dramatics for today, follow me up to the roof of the station...we're going for a little ride," said Danse.
"A ride?" Betty asked as she and Hancock followed the paladin up the stairs.
Danse opened the door to the rooftop access with a smile and Betty gulped at the sight of the vertibird on the launchpad.
"You expect me to ride in that?" Betty asked. "It doesn't even have doors!"
"I assure you, Parker, it's perfectly safe," said Danse.
The paladin led the pair over to the vertibird and climbed into it first. Hancock climbed aboard right behind the soldier and when the young pilot turned to salute Danse, he screamed at the sight of Hancock.
"It's all right!" Danse tried to explain as he held up his hands. "He's with our new Initiate, Parker...who I'd introduce you to if she would board already.."
Hancock reached down for Betty's hand and whispered, "I'll be right next to ya. C'mon, before Danse has a coronary."
Betty took his hand and he helped pull her onto the vertibird. They hadn't even taken off and she was already shivering inside of her armor. She thanked god at that second for helmets, because the last thing she needed was for Danse or any of the others to notice the few tears streaming down her cheeks. She'd rather get into a fist fight with Strong instead of flying in this deathtrap.
"Parker, that minigun in front of you is loaded and ready to fire. If you spot anything hostile during the flight, I suggest you put it to good use," said Danse.
Betty sat down behind the gun with some relief. It was certainly better than standing and at least she had the mounted minigun to hang onto. The vertibird engine roared to life and the rotor blades spun faster and faster until they were just a blur.
"Prepare for liftoff," announced the pilot and Betty swore she would crush the handles of the minigun in her hand.
The vertibird hovered into the air with a slight lurch and Betty threw her arms around the minigun with a sharp gasp as the aircraft soared further into the sky, her eyes squeezed shut.
Hancock hung outside of the vertibird, one hand gripped tight onto a metal bar inside the cockpit as he leaned against Betty's armored shoulder, catching the breeze with his free hand. He had to give it to the Brotherhood; they sure knew how to travel in style.
"The Commonwealth looks different from up here, doesn't it?" Hancock asked Betty as she continued to cling onto the minigun for dear life.
"I don't know, I'm not looking," she replied. "And you can't make me, so don't even bother."
"Oh c'mon, Birdie, it's fuckin' beautiful with the sun comin' up and all."
"I-I'm sure it is," she said with a groan. "Describe it to me later."
Hancock frowned and noticed the look of confusion on the paladin's face before he said to him, "She's afraid of heights."
"Don't tell him that!" said Betty.
"Why not? It's common enough and I think it's kinda cute," Hancock replied to Betty with a chuckle. "You didn't bat an eye at Virgil tryin' to scare us off, but heights make ya weak in the knees..'sides me, of course."
Danse leaned over and pat Betty's back with a glance at Hancock, who glared at the paladin as a low growl began to rumble through his chest, and Danse explained, "I was also nervous the first time I flew, but try to remember that the armor will protect you from a fall at any height and your fear will ebb somewhat."
The paladin was right. If Betty survived a fall from a two-story building in power armor her first day outside of the vault without a scratch, then it shouldn't be too difficult to at least open her god damn eyes..
And when Betty did open her eyes, her piercing shriek of terror made everyone on board the aircraft jump a few feet into the air, including Hancock, who lost his grip on the door handle for a split second.
With a soft chuckle, he looked at Betty and said, "You'll be the death of me."
"If you keep saying that, it'll come true," she replied with a frown.
Hancock smiled and said to her, "That day comes for everyone, like it or not but if Mama Murphy's right, you and I got a few more centuries ahead of us before we gotta worry."
"More centuries for you, maybe," said Betty. "It may be smooth, but this human body isn't going to last."
"Workin' on it," Hancock replied with a hand on her shoulder. "I'll find a way around that little issue but there's plenty of time until then."
When the vertibird passed over the ruins of CIT, Betty and Hancock glanced at one another, knowing that the nefarious heart of the Institute lay beneath it. Danse stood up and leaned over Betty to gaze at the ruins below them, and Hancock looked away, hoping the paladin didn't notice their interest.
"It never ceases to amaze me how drastically your perception of the battlefield changes from the air. We're going to need that edge before we take on the Institute. They've already proven that they're technologically superior, which means there's no telling what types of weapons they have in their arsenal," said Danse. "Hopefully, our air superiority and tactical know-how will make the difference."
"The Minutemen won't lay down without a fight of their own against the Institute," said Betty, her voice a tad bit stronger. "My settlers are willing to die to defend their homes..and each other."
Hancock nodded and said, "And I'd love to see the Institute come bangin' their fists at my town gates. My people would fuckin' slaughter every last one of 'em."
"I doubt it," said Danse. "The Institute would pose far too big a challenge for any town to defend themselves properly, no matter how well armed they are."
"I beg to differ, tin man. Lemme paint a picture for ya. You know who the Gunners are, or do I need to explain yet another faction of my Commonwealth to ya?" Hancock asked Danse.
The paladin scoffed and replied, "Of course I know who the Gunners are. Besides those damn ferals, the Gunners have been giving us the worst of it at the station."
"All right, so last year this young buck came to my town seekin' refuge from those merc assholes. He wanted nothin' more to do with 'em but they wouldn't let the kid go, not even when I offered 'em a small fortune to back off. So I took him in and the Gunners showed up maybe a month later. Full fuckin' assault over this damn kid, close to a hundred of these bastards rockin' my gates and screamin' for blood," Hancock explained.
"Over RJ?" Betty asked, incredulous.
Hancock nodded and explained, "He really pissed 'em off, but they were equally pissed at me for breakin' some bullshit truce they made with Vic before I took over. Had no idea it even existed but it didn't matter. I wasn't givin' up the kid and they weren't comin' into my town. They did try to break through...though I'm bein' generous when I say try. Whole town rose up to fight back and in less than a day, the streets outside of town were packed with dead Gunners...and the leaders of the failed assault, Winlock and Barnes? Their mounted heads, severed by yours truly, decorated my gates until the sun bleached their skulls white. The Gunners that remain don't mess with us anymore...other folks would be wise to do the same."
The paladin nodded, a bit intrigued that the ghoul's town could hold their own against the Gunners, who were formidable in their own right. On top of that, the ghoul decided a mini war was worth waging against the mercenaries for one stranger...Danse didn't want to imagine what sort of atrocities the ghoul would commit to protect Parker.
On the ground below the vertibird, a handful raiders took a few cheap shots at the aircraft and Betty returned fire as she mowed down the small group with ease. The pilot forced the bird higher into the air and Betty gulped, forcing her eyes shut once again.
"I wished everyone down there believed in our cause but they've been blinded by rumors and misinformation," said Danse.
"You must mean those rumors that you're a bunch of racist pricks and if say, a farm or town refuses to give you food and shelter..you just take it from them anyhow," said Hancock.
"That isn't how the Brotherhood operates, ghoul," the paladin insisted.
Hancock managed to light a cigarette and said, "Ain't what I heard from folks who lived in the Capital Wasteland. Sure, you'd help those who helped you, but if someone wanted nothin' to do with ya and they weren't violent or anythin', the Brotherhood would just take their shit anyway. You never give people a choice."
Danse sat down again and said, "The people don't realize that the Brotherhood of Steel is the Commonwealth's last hope for survival."
"What a load of shit," said Hancock. "You have no faith in any of us...and yet we're expected to follow you. The Brotherhood is a fuckin' joke."
"Every man, woman, and child below is in mortal danger! If the Brotherhood fails, it's only a matter of time before the enemy overwhelms the entire population. Cleansing the Commonwealth is our duty and I will gladly spill my own blood if it ensures our victory."
Betty looked back and asked Danse, "And what if the overwhelming majority of the Commonwealth doesn't want the Brotherhood's help?"
Danse frowned and replied, "As I said, it is our duty."
"Ain't your duty," said Hancock. "That honor belongs to us and the people. But you can sit there in your flying boat and watch if ya like. Always liked performin' for an audience."
The paladin scoffed and asked, "But aren't you and Parker doing what the Brotherhood itself is attempting? Who asked you to police the people?"
Betty shrugged and replied, "They asked us to. In my case, the last surviving Minuteman asked me to become General. Hancock becoming a leader is something you'd have to ask him about; it's not my place to tell you."
Danse turned to Hancock and asked him, "All right, ghoul. I'm intrigued. How did you become the leader of your town?"
"I got a name, Paladin Dick," said Hancock. "You expect conversation with me, I expect ya to use it."
Danse let out a hard sigh and asked, "How did a wretched ghoul like yourself become a leader...Hancock."
Hancock nodded and replied, "Vicious bastard named Vic ran my town 'bout ten years ago. Murdered innocents for his amusement, had people terrified enough they wouldn't leave their homes. Murdered my friends. But I was a nobody, and he didn't expect me and my boys to come in, guns blazin', before I hung him from a balcony. Became mayor that day. My people are free to do whatever they like, so long as it doesn't hurt anyone else."
"And what does that entail, exactly?" Danse asked.
"If someone wants to blow their hard earned caps on chems and shoot up all day, it don't bother me. Someone stole from ya and in return, ya cut off his hand or kill him? Fair play. Wanna sell sex for caps or chems? Why the hell not? Very few things don't fly in my town. Rape, slavery, hurtin' kids? No dice. I'll kill ya my fuckin' self... Birdie's seen that shit firsthand."
When Danse looked over to Betty, she popped off her helmet for a moment, her eyes still shut, and pointed to the horrific scar that marred her beauty. "A raider gave me this lovely parting gift before Hancock prevented him from doing much, much worse."
"And what a pleasure it was to rid the world of a shithead like him," Hancock snarled. He looked at Danse and added, "Ain't nothin' more satisfying than killin' those who force themselves on others. There's no sport to spillin' blood if the person ain't earned it. Lucky for us, the Commonwealth provides. The people asked and we fuckin' deliver. Every time."
"-We're on final approach to the airport. The Prydwen should be coming into view just ahead," the pilot announced.
Danse leaned over to tap Betty on the shoulder and explained, "We'll be meeting Lancer-Captain Kells on the flight deck. Just stick close to me and answer all of his questions."
The vertibird flew past an ancient frigate ship wedged on top of the Old Weatherby Savings and Loan building. Betty happened to open an eye as they passed and her jaw fell with surprise.
"Huh, always thought I hallucinated that old thing," said Hancock. He turned to Betty and asked, "Am I? Did pop a few pills I found at the bottom of my pack..not sure what they do.."
"Holy shit, that's the U.S.S. Constitution! I thought for sure it wouldn't make it when the bombs fell...but I guess they don't call her 'Old Ironsides' for nothing." Betty tugged on Hancock's sleeve and said, "I want that ship. I don't know why the hell it's on top of a building, but I want it."
Hancock smiled and said, "I'll find a way to anchor it to the Castle for ya."
The Brotherhood airship floated in the distance, tethered to Boston Airport with long, metal wires. Hancock stared in awe of something so massive hanging up in the sky without nothing but a few wires holding the ship in place...and wondered how easy it would be to cut them loose.
"There she is...it's been far too long since I've been aboard." said Danse, his tone wistful and a bit unlike the hard ass soldier he'd shown himself to be. "Parker, this is the moment when everything changes. I hope you're ready."
"Ready to vomit," Betty replied as the vertibird lurched forward as its propellers prepared for landing aboard the Prydwen.
Hancock chuckled and sat down beside Betty, his boots dangling from the edge of the aircraft. It must've been nerves, because she swore she was fine just a moment ago and now her insides twisted so horribly she knew bile would spill if she didn't hold it together. What a great first impression that would be...a leader of the Commonwealth, doubled over and puking her guts out, with a pissed off ghoul holding her hair back. Great.
"Just lean against me, breathe in slowly through the nose..there, now let it out slow but through the mouth. Rinse and repeat 'til ya head's clear," whispered Hancock as he smoothed his rough hand over the ends of her high ponytail.
Paladin Danse was glad the pilot was so focused on landing aboard the Prydwen as he felt himself begin to smile at the sight of the ghoul comforting Initiate Parker. Even the soldier had to admit that it was obvious the ghoul cared for her a great deal, and she for him...and as long as she consented to such a scandalous relationship, he decided he wouldn't pester Parker about it any longer.
The color began to return to Betty's cheeks until the vertibird made a hard turn as it locked onto the Prydwen's flight deck, and she emptied her stomach over the edge of the aircraft.
Hancock leaned over the edge and laughed before he said to her, "Hey, looks like ya got a few of those assholes below us! Good aim, Birdie!"
"Are you all right, Parker? Perhaps I should escort you to the Medical Bay as soon as we board," Danse asked and Betty waved his offer away.
"Please, I'm f-fine," Betty struggled to say as she fought the urge to spew again.
"Sorry! But not really!" Hancock shouted to the small figures below with a wave and glanced at Betty as he offered her a handkerchief from his pocket. "Think they heard me?"
Not able to laugh just yet, at least without throwing up, Betty managed a smile and Hancock returned the gesture before he reached out to stroke her cheek.
"I hate throwing up," said Betty, her voice small. "But better out than in, right?"
"'Course. Still think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on," Hancock assured her. "Always will."
"Even with this scar?"
"Heh, 'specially with that scar."
The Brotherhood pilot's landing aboard the floating ship was a success, and Danse saluted him before he hopped down onto the flight deck. Hancock jumped down himself and looked about the deck to gauge the Brotherhood's reaction to the sight of a ghoul aboard their precious metal bird, but none had noticed him just yet. He reached up and wrapped his hand around Betty's metal wrist, guiding her down to the deck since she still refused to open her eyes.
"C'mon baby, at least make it easy for me," he muttered to her as her metal boot whooshed over his head, forcing him to duck and nearly knocking his captain's hat off. "There now, you're on solid ground. Damn...great view."
Betty opened her eyes but as soon as she realized how high the Prydwen hung above the airport, she let out a small yelp and clung to her ghoul, forgetting that she was wearing an extra two hundred pounds of power armor.
Hancock reached up and pat her arm before he croaked, "I love ya..b-but m-maybe not c-crush the life outta me?"
"Sorry!" said Betty, dropping her arms. She picked up her helmet from beside the minigun and said, "This...this was a mistake-"
"-No turnin' back now. Into the fire, as you said back at the station," he replied as he gave her a gentle push forward.
Up ahead, Danse saluted a fit, older man with a hard face on the flight deck and asked, "Permission to come aboard, Lancer Captain Kells?"
Betty hadn't seen Danse behave in a submissive manner towards his Commanding Officers since he was the commanding officer of the team stuck inside the police station, and to see him now, meek and softspoken, was strange. There was a chance that no matter how much Danse wanted to work with her, that he may fold under the pressure of his superiors. God, what had she gotten herself and Hancock into?
"What the hell is that thing doing aboard my ship, paladin?" asked Kells, nodding towards Hancock.
Hancock curled his fingers into fists and Betty took a step in front of him, blocking Kells from her love if the soldier were foolish enough to attack first.
"Our new recruit insists on traveling with him. They both lead separate factions within the Commonwealth," explained Danse. "I mentioned him in my report-"
"-Him?" sneered Kells as he gave the ghoul a once over. A little on the shorter side, its skin not as rotten as some of the other ghouls Kells had seen during his time with the Brotherhood, but it was the ghoul's black, soulless eyes that made him feel uneasy. He was liable to go feral at any given moment with eyes like those. "I hope you're not getting soft now, Danse. Elder Maxson will decide whether that creature can stay or gets thrown from the flight deck. Regardless, permission is granted and welcome back. Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on a successful mission."
He may have been used to it, but it didn't make the insults any easier to swallow for Hancock. Whether Betty wanted to or not, he'd deal with these shitheads himself they made the wrong move.
"It would not have been successful without the help of my recruit," said Danse with a smile toward Betty. "I've field-promoted her to Initiate and I'd like to sponsor her entry into our rankings personally."
Kells nodded several times and said, "Yes, yes, we've read your reports. You'll be pleased to know that Elder Maxson's approved your request, and placed the recruit in your charge."
"Thank you, Sir," said the paladin with a respectful tilt of his head. "And my current orders?"
"You are to remain on the Prydwen and await further instructions."
"Very good, Sir," said Danse with a fist over his chest. "Ad Victoriam, Captain"
Betty and Hancock began to follow the paladin until Kells called out, "I'd like a word, Initiate."
She paused and turned to face the captain, her face like marble as she stared him down. Danse tried to beckon Hancock away from Betty but the ghoul shook his head and remained firm in his stance beside her.
"So, you're the one Paladin Danse has taken under his wing. Hmph. You don't look much like a soldier to me," said Kells.
Betty shrugged and said, "You're right. I believe I resemble a General more so than your run of the mill soldier, like that Rhys fellow we met back at the station. My partner here stepped up and rescued both Rhys and Haylen while providing cover fire for Paladin Danse and myself. Looks can be deceiving."
Hancock looked right at Lancer Captain Kells and the smirk on his scarred face grew as Betty spoke. If there was one thing Hancock enjoyed, it was proving jerks like these Brotherhood soldiers wrong and Betty knew exactly what to say with that silver tongue of hers that made his heart pound.
"Which is precisely why I personally insist on scrutinizing every recruit who boards this vessel. As I said to Paladin Danse, I've read his reports about you, though he failed to mention your ghoul slave-"
"-He's not my slave, and I don't appreciate you or anyone else calling him that," Betty snapped.
Hancock glanced over at Betty and when he caught her eye, he mouthed, Careful..
"Despite this little snag and that lip of yours, Danse seems to think you'll make a fine addition to the Brotherhood. You might expect an endorsement like that to grant you a great deal of latitude with us, but let me make one thing clear: The Brotherhood of Steel has traveled to the Commonwealth with a specific goal in mind. As the captain of this vessel, I won't allow anyone to jeopardize our mission, no matter how valuable they think they are. Understood?" asked the captain.
"And we," Betty motioned to Hancock and herself, "are valuable to the people of the Commonwealth and to continue with both hateful remarks and hostile actions will serve to add even more strain with regard to your repute with them. If you'd enjoy another war where the Earth is scorched again and everyone loses, please, continue to insult us. Am I understood, Sir?"
"...Don't get fresh with me, Initiate. Your orders are to proceed to the Command Deck for the address, after which Elder Maxson wishes to have a word with you. Dismissed, now get the hell out of my sight," said the Lancer Captain before he shoved past Betty with a scowl.
Hancock stared at Betty with a wild grin and whispered, "I would fuck your brains out right here, right now, in front of all these tools if I could."
"Seems a law degree can be useful in this life, too," said Betty with a smile. She squeezed his hand and whispered back, "And I'd totally let you."
He couldn't have been more proud of her than he was right then. "Show 'em who they're fuckin' with, love."
Betty walked up a set of stairs on the deck, guarded by a Brotherhood soldier armed with a minigun, as Hancock followed right behind her. When the pair met with Danse at the top of the steps, the guard pointed his weapon in Hancock's direction. "Behave yourself, freak."
"Ain't about to start now," Hancock replied with a scoff and Betty's laughter escaped her.
"It's all right," Danse said to the guard. "They are both under my watch. He guards our new Initiate, and she's given me her word he is tame enough."
The guard shook his head and said to Betty, "If your ghoul even looks like it's going feral, I'm putting it down. Only good ghoul is a dead ghoul."
"Watch your mouth, friend," and he nodded to Betty, who glared at the soldier. "It'll get ya in trouble."
Betty leaned toward the guard and whispered, "Touch him..and I'll feed you, piece by piece, to our pet super mutant."
Danse led the grinning pair away from the shocked guard before he could respond to whatever threat Parker had made and into the Prydwen itself. He reminded himself that there was a high chance of the ghoul not returning aboard the Prydwen once this bit of pomp and circumstance was over and perhaps Parker would relax around her fellow soldiers.
Inside, the ship was darker than Betty expected and the all of the morning's new light poured through a large window in a room ahead of them, past a stairwell. The room itself was nearly filled to the brim with soldiers and she realized it must be the Command Deck, where she was to meet with Elder Maxson.
"Parker, go ahead and find a spot inside the deck; your ghoul and I can listen from out here," said Danse.
"You told me not to go anywhere without him," said Betty, her hand on her hip. "Or were those empty words?"
"We'll be right outside the doorway. You have my word that he'll not see any harm..unless he manages to find trouble in the span of ten minutes.."
She beckoned Danse closer and whispered, "I know you're the boss of me now and I mean this in the most respectful manner possible, but if anything happens to Hancock, and I mean anything, I'll fly this god damn ship into the ground with all of us still aboard."
"..Noted, Parker," Danse replied. "I'll give your insubordination a pass this one time, but you will not receive another chance, so I hope he was worth it."
"Always," said Betty over her shoulder.
She pushed past several much taller soldiers, and when she found herself at the very front of the group who looked upon their Elder with adoring faces. A handsome young man wearing a heavy suede coat stood at the Command Deck's center, and as he raised his hand, the room fell silent. Betty felt her mouth fall open at the sight of Elder Maxson, who appeared to be not a day over twenty; a post-apocalyptic Alexander the Great.
"Brothers and Sisters!" began the Brotherhood leader. "The road behind has been long and fraught with difficulty. Each and every one of you has surpassed my expectations by rapidly facilitating our arrival in the Commonwealth. You have accomplished this amazing feat without a hint of purpose or direction, and most impressively, without question."
Hancock almost laughed at the clown who held everyone's attention but was forced to swallow his amusement as several soldiers glanced at him and then back at Betty. These idiots weren't real soldiers; they were puppets, performing on command at the order of a master puppeteer. He wanted nothing more than to send this base crashing into the airport below them, and he would have, even though it would mean his death.
Betty turned to check if Hancock still stood behind her and smiled at him. The ghoul smiled back, his thoughts of violence and murder ebbing. Being in love was a weird, fuckin' ball game. He never would've set foot on this ship if it weren't for Betty's request, but part of him was grateful for the times she'd steadied his hand. Fahrenheit did always say that being too much of a hothead would land him in a gutter one day.
"Now that the ship is in position, it is time to reveal our purpose and our mission: destroying the Institute," Elder Maxson explained to his soldiers. "They are experimenting with dangerous technologies that could prove to be the world's undoing for the second time in recent history. The Institute has created a weapon that transcends the destructive nature of the atom bomb. They call their creation the 'synth,' a robotic abomination of technology that is free-thinking and masquerades as a human being. The notion that a machine could be granted free will is not only offensive, but horribly dangerous. And like the atom, if it isn't harnessed properly, it has the potential of rendering us extinct as a species. I am not prepared to allow the Institute to continue this line of experimentation. Therefore, the Institute and their 'synths' are considered enemies of the Brotherhood of Steel, and should be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly. This campaign will be costly and many lives will be lost-"
You could say that shit again, thought Hancock.
"-But in the end, we will be saving humankind from its worst enemy...itself. Ad Victoriam!" Maxson shouted with a fist over his heart.
"Ad Victoriam!" Maxson's soldiers shouted back as they saluted their leader.
Betty and Hancock remained silent..the Brotherhood was quickly becoming a little too fascist for their tastes, but it would be something they'd be happy to remedy. One day at a time, though.
Danse turned to Betty as the rest of the soldiers dispersed from the Command Deck and said, "Ad Victoriam means-"
"-To victory," answered Betty and Hancock together.
Betty and Danse stared at Hancock, who grinned and reminded her, "An educated man is feared, remember?"
She laughed and replied in a whisper, "And you're not one to fuck with?"
"Exactly."
"Initiate Parker!" Elder Maxson called out. "A moment of your time."
Danse grabbed Betty's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Remember, this is my leader you'll be speaking to, Parker, so watch your mouth. There is nothing I can do if you make yourself an enemy."
Betty nodded and walked over to Elder Maxson's side as he gazed from a large window that overlooked the world below. The Elder's face was smooth and youthful, aside from a thick scar that ran across his cheek and disappeared beneath his full, dark beard.
"I care about them, you know," Maxson said to Betty over his shoulder. "The people of the Commonwealth."
She looked over at him and shook her head before she replied, "No, you don't. If you really cared, you'd leave them to their own devices."
Danse's helmet toppled to the floor in his shock and Hancock stood straight, hands clasped behind his back, beaming with pride for his girl who was no longer afraid of the world around her...now, she was grabbing it by the fuckin' balls.
"What the hell is she doing?" Danse whispered.
The ghoul smirked and answered, "Bein' the kind of leader I'd follow into battle."
Elder Maxson shook his head with a laugh and replied, "Leaving them to their own devices is what reduced this metropolis to ruins in the first place. I'm a bit surprised that you don't realize that by now."
"I was there, before the bombs dropped, so believe me, I understand. But just like now, that order was given by our government, not the citizens. We were just...caught in the fallout of it all. It's what will happen if the Brotherhood remains here," Betty explained. "So you're not going to convince me that you're right, because you're young...and you don't know what's best for these people."
"Yet despite your obvious lack of faith in our cause, Paladin Danse still feels you'd be an asset to the Brotherhood as a possible ally. Seeing as he's one of my most respected field officers, you couldn't get a better recommendation. Therefore, from this moment forward, I'm granting you the rank of Knight," said Maxson.
"A Knight?" She laughed and said, "Huh, you guys really are stuck in the Dark Ages..fanaticism, power by overwhelming force, killing those you fear instead of trying to learn more about them-"
"-Judging from the state of the world, it wouldn't be a stretch to say we're living in that era again. In any event once you're finished with that bit of defiance and become familiar with the Prydwen and my staff, report to the flight deck for your new orders... and welcome aboard, soldier."
Elder Maxson saluted Betty with a fist over his chest and waited, expecting the same motion from her. This was it..if she reciprocated, she would be an official member of the Brotherhood of Steel. Would her own soldiers forgive her for such an act? Would they even understand why she thought this was for the best? She knew Preston would stand behind her decision, although she wouldn't put it past him to worry unnecessarily. Regardless, this was her choice to make...and it would be one that would affect the East Coast for years to come.
Betty's fist pounded over her own heart and the Elder smiled. Hancock, however, had to look away from the sight. Christ, he hoped she knew what the fuck she was doing.
"You don't want her to do this," said Danse to the ghoul. "I'm surprised you didn't try to to stop her."
"I don't tell her what to do. Her choice." Hancock shook his head and added, "It's almost like...watchin' her crawl into bed with someone else, but as much as I hate it, she's right. If it were up to me, I'd just keep killin' anyone who gets in my way. She swears that doin' this sorta shit will get us further than violence, and if it doesn't...my guns will do just fine."
Betty followed behind Elder Maxson and he didn't even notice Danse salute him; his attention focused solely on Hancock, the only ghoul to ever set foot on his ship alive.
"Knight Parker," Elder Maxson asked. "I suppose this creature belongs to you?"
Hancock raised his brow and before Betty could answer, he said to Maxson, "You could say that."
"And it can communicate as well!" said the Elder with surprise. "Color me impressed. Tell me, ghoul, what do you call yourself? If you even have a name, of course."
It was this moment that made Betty reconsider trying to make peace with the Brotherhood of Steel and if Hancock reacted badly, she was ready to run for the Prydwen's controls and drive the ship into the ground as promised.
"Mayor John Hancock," the ghoul answered in a flat voice, "of Goodneighbor."
Maxson laughed and Hancock grit his teeth at the sound.
Can't wait to mount your fuckin' head on my wall, Hancock thought.
"Oh? A couple of shacks does not constitute a town," said Maxson.
"Goodneighbor is the the second largest settlement in the Commonwealth, after Diamond City," said Hancock with narrowed eyes.
"And how did a ghoul manage to come upon such a title?" the young Elder asked.
Hancock smirked and answered, "I overthrew the town's former dictator and hung him from the balcony. Ten years of anarchy ever since, and still goin' strong."
Elder Maxson's face fell and he took a step back as Betty grinned. As often as Hancock was proud of her, she was the one who stood beaming with pride. Bless him, he really was giving this a chance.
"Be sure to keep an eye on this one, Danse," said Maxson. "There's no telling what a ghoul on the verge of going feral can do."
"Parker assured me the ghoul poses no threat to the Brotherhood unless she or his settlement are threatened, Sir," said Danse.
"Very good," Maxson replied with a final, icy stare at Hancock, who returned the gesture. "Introduce Parker to her brothers and sisters on the Prydwen. I'd like if she met everyone in her new family."
"Yes, Sir," Danse answered with a fist over his heart.
The trio watched as Elder Maxson walked away and the moment he was out of ear-shot, Betty looked over at Danse with a wide smile before she whispered, "You defied an order talking to us about the Institute at Arc-Jet and on the vertibird, didn't you?"
Even Hancock seemed a bit shocked at the sudden realization that Danse disregarded a direct order and the soldier looked away from them both with a reddened face.
"Don't worry," she told the paladin as she nudged his ribs. "We'd never snitch on you."
Danse took comfort in Parker's assurance of confidentiality and was surprised to see the same ghoul he had treated so poorly nod with agreement at her promise.
The paladin asked, "How did you find Elder Maxson?"
Betty grimaced and replied, "He sounds pretty delusional to me. You don't actually buy everything he's saying, do you? He's a damn kid!"
"You shouldn't judge Maxson on his words alone. His actions prove his sincerity. I just hope you appreciate how much of a chance I'm taking bringing you into the fold this quickly. Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you screw up...we go down together," Danse said.
"I'll be careful," said Betty. "I'm not trying to hurt anyone, you know, not if I don't have to."
The paladin let out a long sigh of relief and explained, "Good, because we've got a lot of work ahead of us and I don't want anything slowing us down. Now, I know you must be eager to take the fight against the Institute, but in order to be an effective part of a team, you need to learn your way around this ship and get to know its crew. Since I've been officially assigned as your sponsor, I'd recommend taking me along during your missions instead of...him."
"Heh, why the hell would she want the fifth best lookin' man in the Commonwealth on her arm when she can have number one?" asked Hancock as he pointed to himself.
"What on earth are you talking about?" asked Danse.
"Who's fourth?" Betty asked, curious and a little amused.
Hancock shrugged his shoulders and replied,"Maxson's way more of a pretty boy than 'ol Dunce here."
"Yeah," said Betty as she looked at the Paladin with a growing smile. "I can see your point."
"Are you both quite finished?" asked Danse as he rolled his eyes. "If so, I'll escort you to the Med Bay."
"Lead the way..Boss," Betty said with a kind smile.
As the paladin led them to the Prydwen's medical bay, Hancock whispered to Betty, "Ya know, if you wanted to be bossed around a little more, ya could've just asked..didn't have to join up with these losers."
"Now that you mention it," she replied, "I wouldn't mind a rougher hand now and again."
Hancock laughed loud enough that several Brotherhood soldiers glared at him and he said, "Birdie, the second we're off this dump, you are so fucked."
"That's the idea," she said with a grin.
Tucked away in a small corner of the floating fortress was the med bay, where an older, balding man stood as he looked over the notes on his battered clipboard. At the sound of boots clunking against the metal catwalk, he lifted his head and smiled at Danse and Betty, until his eyes found Hancock and his cheer soured into a scowl.
"Parker, this is Knight-Captain Cade, the Prydwen's on board physician, said the paladin. "Cade, this is the newly ranked Knight Parker, a faction leader of the Commonwealth. The ghoul is her guardian. He calls himself Hancock."
Betty wasn't sure how much more snobbery Hancock could tolerate and with every second that ticked away, the guilt twisting within her gut grew more and more. This was the same man who cut out people's tongues for disrespecting him...and somehow, he had endured almost two days worth of near-constant insults without lifting a finger, Rhys being the foolish exception. Whoever was unfortunate enough to be the first to upset Hancock once they returned to the surface would surely meet a gruesome and violent end.
She waited for her love to meet her gaze and mouthed, I'm so sorry.
You owe me, Hancock mouthed back.
"Did Elder Maxson approve of this freak on board the ship?" Cade asked, and Danse nodded. "As long as it stays away from me."
"Feelin's mutual," said Hancock.
"Knight Parker, glad you stopped by. Are you ready for your medical exam?" Cade asked Betty.
"As long as it doesn't involve petroleum jelly and rubber gloves, I'm ready."
Hancock snorted behind Betty and rested his hand on the small of her back as Danse rolled his eyes.
Knight-Captain Cade shook his head and replied, "No, no, this isn't that sort of examination. I'm going to ask you a series of medical-related questions and I'd like you to answer to the best of your ability."
"That doesn't sound so bad," said Betty. "Please, go ahead."
Cade sat down behind his desk and motioned for Betty to take a seat as well. "Paladin Danse? I need for you and that..atrocity to vacate the med bay until Parker's examination is concluded. Private matters and all-"
"-I ain't movin', pal, so get used to it," said Hancock.
"How dare you-" Cade began to say.
Betty raised her hand to interrupt and said, "I won't answer any questions unless he's here, and I don't care if Danse listens to my replies, as I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of."
The Knight-Captain grumbled and said, "Let's get this over with then. First question: As a child, were you ever exposed to radiation for an extended period of time?"
"..My father said I used to sit too close to the TV?" Betty answered.
"The..television? Wait a second, let me check my notes here..you were a pre-war vault dweller? You're probably healthier than anyone else aboard! Anyway, sorry I missed that in your records. Just going down the list of questions, I'm sure you understand," said Cade as he flipped through his notes once more.
"Real organized here, aren't ya?" asked Hancock with a scoff.
Cade ignored Hancock's jab and said to Betty, "Okaaaaay, second question: Have you ever had or come in contact with a person confirmed to be carrying a communicable disease?"
She shook her head and answered, "Never been seriously sick in my life, no."
"Good, good. Third question and please answer honestly: Have you ever had sexual relations with any species considered non-human?" Cade asked with a sigh.
Betty's eyes almost popped out of their sockets and she asked, "Are you asking me if I've ever fucked an animal? Like...a dog or something? I heard some people are into that sort of thing, but it's common enough you have ask that question?"
"You'd be surprised how many wastelanders answer yes to that question...mostly ghouls, it seems," Cade explained with a nasty glance at Hancock. "Fortunately the Brotherhood finds that type of behavior absolutely distasteful. Since you haven't spent too much time in the wasteland, I'll assume your answer is no-"
"-Call me a dirty wastelander and write down yes for me, too," said Betty as she leaned over his desk and tapped her finger on the physician's clipboard as Hancock howled with laughter at her reply.
"Parker, that's enough!" said Danse.
"He said to answer honestly!" she said over her shoulder. With a smile for a shocked and disgusted Cade, she added, "I can get into specifics if need be, Sir."
Knight-Captain Cade shook his head as he crossed out 'no' on his clipboard and wrote in Betty's actual answer instead. "That won't be necessary, Knight. That being said, since you are willing to engage in such illicit affairs-"
"-No, no, just the one illicit affair with him," Betty interrupted as she jabbed a thumb over her shoulder at Hancock, who's smug grin couldn't be wider.
Hancock leaned over her shoulder and said, "Lemme ask ya somethin', doc. If she swallows my load on the regular, should she be takin' Rad-Away?"
Paladin Danse stood up and left the medical bay without a word, and Betty realized she may have pushed him a little too far. Hancock wasn't making it any easier, though she was enjoying his bit of guff. She frowned as the paladin faced away from them and covered his face with his hand. "John, maybe that was a bit too much."
"Hey, that's a legit medical question we've been wonderin' about for a while now," he replied.
She nodded and asked Cade, "Well, should I be taking Rad-Away?"
"It...it certainly wouldn't hurt," Cade answered with a grim face. "I must inform you that unless you terminate your relations with the ghoul, you are not to fraternize with any of the other soldiers, lest you infect them all with some sort of disease...am I clear?"
Betty leaned back into her chair and replied, "That's not going to happen, Sir. Was never a fan of bigots anyhow. The less I socialize here, the better, especially if everyone is going to behave so poorly over something that's none of their god damn business."
"Last question: Do you have any issues pulling the trigger on an enemy of the Brotherhood, whether they're human, formerly human, or machine?" Cade asked.
She didn't even have to think twice about that answer. "If my life or the lives of the ones I care for are in danger, I'll do whatever it takes."
"Acceptable. I've got all the information I need...unfortunately, but I see no need to prevent you from doing your duties immediately. Dismissed, Knight," said Knight-Captain Cade before he turned his back to the trio and began to enter Betty's medical history into a terminal.
As they left the medical bay, four young boys no older than Shaun ran between the trio as they played a game of tag. The smallest tripped over Danse's armored boot, and the paladin reached down to pick him up by the back of his uniform. The boy smiled up at Danse before he rushed after his friends.
Hancock's face appeared mere inches away from Danse and he growled, "You idiots brought kids when you're tryin' to start a war? And you see nothin' wrong with that at all?"
"Personally, I never liked having Squires aboard the Prydwen," Danse replied. "If it were up to me, I would send them back to the Citadel, our stronghold in the Capital Wasteland."
Betty stared at the paladin with disbelief in her eyes. "Wait a minute, you...you don't bring them along on missions, do you?"
"I haven't done so, but Elder Maxson insists that they train under live fire," explained the paladin with a frown.
"How many ya got on board?" Hancock asked. If they did take the Brotherhood down, at least the kids would be spared. How he would convince them to come along...well, he was hoping Betty would be able to it.
"Four, all boys. Squires Glade, Artemis, McKenna, and Colvin. McKenna's sister was also supposed to be aboard, but she chose to remain behind with their mother instead."
Hancock scoffed and muttered, "Smart kid."
Next, Betty met with Proctor Quinlan, who mistook her for someone else as he cleaned his thick glasses. He explained that he was in charge of keeping track of all recovered technology and technical documentation for the entirety of the Brotherhood, and to Hancock, that sounded pretty fuckin' boring. As Betty was forced by Danse to give this Quinlan guy a listen, Hancock distracted himself with Quinlan's pet cat, Emmet, who climbed onto the ghoul's shoulders to rub against his jawline.
The ghoul carefully picked up the cat from his right shoulder and whispered, "I'll be sure to grab ya, too, little guy."
Danse then led the pair to the power armor station, where several soldiers were being fitted with their own suits of armor. A female soldier walked about the station wearing only a frame of armor, with no metal shielding attached at all.
"This is Proctor Ingram, our lead engineer," explained the paladin.
Betty reached out to shake the Proctor's hand and said, "Nice to meet you, ma'am."
As every other Brotherhood soldier they met so far had done, Ingram gave Betty a once over before she said, "So, you're the new recruit I heard about. Hm...not what I was expecting."
"What the hell is everyone expecting?" Betty blurted out. She glanced back at Danse and asked, "What did you tell them about me that's making me look so bad?"
The paladin crossed his arms and nodded toward Hancock. "You really have to ask?"
Ingram shook her head and explained, "It wasn't anything in the paladin's report. I don't give a damn who you have following you around. It's just the last batch of recruits we took on were wastelanders, too. Dirty, beaten up, and looking for a handout."
"Spoken like a true, cold-hearted asshole," Hancock said under his breath.
Proctor Ingram narrowed her eyes and asked, "What was that?"
"Brotherhood keeps sayin' over and over that they wanna help, yet that's how you talk about wastelanders who ask for it? Real nice. My town doesn't pull that crap. All are welcome, and we never had any issues. They all pull their weight once I help 'em to their feet."
"These wastelanders were desperate and looking for an easy out," Ingram insisted. She looked at Betty and added, "You look like you're here for a reason. Anyway, since you came here to meet me, we might as well get it over with. This lovely little grease pit is where you'll usually find me. If your power armor's too tight in the crotch, the Prydwen's about to crash into the ground, or a robot's gone haywire, you come see me."
"I'm General Betty Parker down in the Commonwealth, Knight Parker up here. Still not used to either."
"Good to meet you, but I really need to get back to work," said Ingram. "If you ever need another set of armor or just pieces to replace ones that break, that one in the corner over there is yours. Stay safe out there."
As Proctor Ingram returned to soldering a suit of power armor, Betty pulled Hancock aside and whispered, "Are you ready to get out of here?"
Hancock nodded and said, "I think I've tolerated enough of their shit for one day."
"Danse?" said Betty, tapping on the paladin's shoulder. "We're out of here. I have a lead on where I can find my son."
The paladin nodded and escorted the pair back out to the vertibird still perched on the flight deck. "My offer still stands, Knight Parker. I would be honored to assist in finding your son."
"Ain't the kinda threesome I had in mind, pal," said Hancock. "In this case, three's a crowd. Stay here with your..fellow dumpsters."
Betty climbed aboard the vertibird, and this time, her legs were a little less shaky and unsure than her previous flight. She smiled down at Danse as Hancock climbed in behind her and she said, "It's a personal matter, Sir..and if I'm being honest, I'm not sure I can trust you with it."
"We cannot foster any type of bond if you do not allow yourself to trust me," said Danse.
She shook her head and replied, "Sorry, Boss. The Brotherhood is your top priority, and I understand that, but the people we associate with won't take kindly to your kind..and it could hinder in my search."
"My kind?" Danse asked with raised brows.
"Yeah, 'your kind," said Hancock with a smirk. "Feels pretty shitty, doesn't it?"
"And how will I find you if you're needed here, Parker?"
"Send a message to the Castle," said Betty as she leaned out and pointed towards the Minutemen stronghold across the bay. "My Minutemen can get it to me over our radio frequency. I suggest you be unarmed as you approach them. We just built some artillery and the mortars are serious business."
"And don't even bother with Goodneighbor," Hancock chimed in. "Won't get a warm reception."
Danse scoffed and replied, "After all that bragging about how your town is so much more progressive than the Brotherhood, and yet you warn me that I won't be welcomed."
"Didn't say ya couldn't come in," said Hancock. "Just warnin' that ya might have a bad time of it. Betty wasn't jokin' about that super mutant of ours, ya know. He'll fuckin' eat ya."
Betty waved goodbye to the paladin as the vertibird's engine roared to life and the pilot turned to ask, "Where to, Knight Parker?"
"Back to the Cambridge Police Station," said Betty. "We'd like to pick up where we left off."